In general, being a college student is synonymous with a few things:
Always feeling tired.
Busy. Busy. Busy.
Shoestring budget.
Can college students, who are typically overwhelmed with papers, exams, campus events, and student loans really afford to invest so much time, energy, and effort into supporting refugees and refugee resettlement?
The answer is YES! How do we know? Because SO many of Canopy’s supporters and advocates are also college students!
We sat down with a college student who supports Canopy to dive into her support for refugees, and how she makes this a core aspect of her life.
Meet Megan. Megan is a junior at the University of Arkansas. When she isn’t busy studying to earn her degree in Political Science, International Studies, and Spanish, she is serving in her role as the President for Students with Refugees, a campus group dedicated to supporting and advocating for refugee resettlement.
Her connection to Canopy’s work is unique. Megan studied abroad in Argentina and Rwanda last year, where she focused on state violence and genocide. During her time in Rwanda, she learned that her program leader’s wife was a former refugee. As the conversation unfolded, she realized that his wife was actually resettled right here in NWA through Canopy! As she listened to her program leader’s story, as well as the stories of other refugees, her desire to support refugee resettlement right here in her own community was solidified. She began to understand the importance of equipping refugees with the tools they need to build new lives.
So, when Canopy announced Fall Internship openings in 2019, Megan was ready to apply! As an intern, Megan was able to work alongside Canopy staff and clients. Her experience taught her that having flexibility is key and taught her the importance of recognizing cultural differences and being intentional about investing in relationships.
When asked how being a part of Canopy’s work has impacted her, Megan points to what she has learned: “It has given me a broader perspective for life in NWA. It has allowed me to understand the stories of former refugees, and the process that goes along with resettlement: for instance, how hard it is to find a job in a new country, or learn the bus routes.”
For Megan, supporting refugees is not just a hobby: it is a core aspect of her life. On top of being a busy college student with a triple major, Megan makes sure that she actively advocates for refugee resettlement and intentionally prioritizes building relationships with and supporting former refugees right here in NWA.
Supporting refugees is not one-size-fits-all! For Megan, supporting refugees means being involved with Students with Refugees and interning with Canopy, but there are so many ways to support refugees!
Join our Community of Welcome!
Volunteer with us. We need mentors for our after-school program!
Attend a quarterly Advocacy Training.
Share about Canopy with your friends!
Request a Canopy speaker for your community group.
Or get in touch with us to discuss out-of-the-box ways that YOU can get involved with Canopy!
Anyone and everyone can be an Arkansan for Refugees!
#ArkansansForRefugees #StudentsForRefugees
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